Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  Back to a bit more normal of a schedule for us so be sure to tune into the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at 9 am for three hours of Winnipeg Jets and NHL hockey talk.

Note II:  Day 4 of the Jets bye week.

Note III:  If you need a hockey fix you won’t be completely bereft as the Manitoba Moose kick off a pair of games against the Rampage tonight at 7 pm at the MTS Centre.  Be sure to keep it locked illegalcurve.com for our post game report and be sure to follow us on social media including Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

Jets news:

Official Jets site:  Josh Morrissey becoming one of NHL’s best young blueliners.  As someone who watched him last season in the AHL I wasn’t surprised to see him successfully make the jump to the NHL but I am surprised at just how quickly he has adapted to top role responsibility.

Winnipeg Sun:  A defenceman’s head games.  Ken caught up with Jets/Moose defenceman Julian Melchiori to find out how he is surviving this roller-coaster season.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Smart money says trade deadline just another Wednesday for Jets’ Chevy. (Paywall).

The Hockey News:  Jets paid Byfuglien big, and he’s proving he’s worth every penny.  While some fans still have that image of 33 peeling away from the play in OT the fact is that his signing was a big statement to the league that players are happy to live and play hockey here in Winnipeg.  He has logged huge minutes for this Jets squad this season and as Jared points out has really contributed to this team in a number of significant ways.

Illegal Curve: True North announces MTS Centre Renovations.  Some big changes at the old barn with about 12 million dollars being spent on the upgrades.

Illegal Curve:  Jets reportedly receiving phone calls on Drew Stafford.  According to an ESPN report the Jets have been getting calls on the winger.

Sports Illustrated:  Wanted or not, budding Matthews-Laine rivalry matters for the NHL.  I really think the fact that they are in two different conferences really puts a damper on the development of any real rivalry.  Maybe not this year while the Calder is up for grabs but by next season, with the exception of when they go head-to-head, my guess is there won’t nearly be the same level of chatter we saw this year.

Jets audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Jets prospect talk.  TSN Hockey analyst Dave Poulin joins Hustler & Lawless to look at the increasing trade value of Evander Kane and evaluates the trade that moved Kane to the Buffalo Sabres. Poulin also looks at the prospects in the Winnipeg Jets system and when they could be used by the parent club.

Illegal Curve:  State of the Jets – Two superstars, sure, but what else?  Jets beat writer for the Winnipeg Sun Ken Wiebe joins John Matisz (Toronto Sun + Postmedia) to chat trade deadline possibilities, the Patrik & Mark Show, Paul Maurice’s long-term prospects, and much more.

Illegal Curve:  NHL skills coach Tim Turk on Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine.  The conversation revolved mostly around Jets super rookie Patrik Laine but they also touched on Josh Morrissey.

Sportsnet:  A Deep Dive on the Winnipeg Jets.  Looking at the Jets from an analytics points of view covering Patrick Laine’s rookie season, Laine’s Sky High Shooting %, Matthews vs. Laine in Shot Differential, Evaluating Coaching, Pace of 5v5 Play, Dustin Byfuglien’s Usage, Jacob Trouba’s Breakout, Goaltending Woes, Mathieu Perreault as Trade Bait, What we can learn from Evander Kane and the Hockey Analytics Conference.

Moose audio:

Winnipeg Free Press:  Moose players ponder their futures once playing days are over.  (Paywall).  Mike had an interesting chat with a number of players with Manitoba on how they see life after the game ends.

Moose audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Our defensive game has improved.  Moose head coach Pascal Vincent joins Rick Ralph and discusses the Moose recent play and how Kyle Connor has performed since being assigned to the AHL.

Jets prospects news:

Sportsnet:  February prospect report.  A look at some players in the AHL and one from the WHL and one from the OHL.